Online Shopping

Shopping Tips

Checklist Of Online shopping

  1. Identifying info

    2. Has the website provided contact information, such as the physical address of the business, phone and fax numbers is important if something goes wrong, for example, if your package doesn't arrive or your credit card is charged incorrectly.

  2. Refunds in online shopping

    3. If you can't find any policies on the website, contact the business via email or telephone and ask them to explain their procedures.

  3. Cost and Currency

    4. It is important that you know the final cost, especially if the business is going to charge your credit card. Clarify that delivery and handling costs have been included and check there are no ongoing fees. You should also clarify the currency.

  4. Applicable law

    5. Do you know which country's laws will apply to the transaction? This is particularly important if you are doing business with a website based in another country.

  5. Privacy

    6. Many websites have privacy policies stating how they will deal with personal information. It's important that you read these policies as your name could end up on mailing lists that receive unsolicited email from online marketers. In many countries, including Australia, there is now privacy legislation.

  6. Product Description

    7. Make sure the goods or services you are buying have been clearly described and they suit your need. Confirm this with the business by email or phone.

  7. Payment Mechanism

    8. You need to satisfy yourself that any online payment by credit card is secure. Many online payment systems use secure sockets layer (SSL). The site should tell you that you are entering a secure online environment before you start to provide your credit card details.

  8. Print out details

    9. Make sure you print out any form you have filled in and keep copies of any email correspondence. It's a good idea to print out pages from the website as a record of the offer you have accepted. This is important if the business denies having made promises to you. Remember, websites change regularly, and even disappear completely. You want to be able to prove the terms of your contract with the business.

  9. Delivery

    10. You should clarify an expected delivery date so that you know when to start chasing it up if it hasn't arrived.

  10. Terms and conditions

    11. These will give you details of how the company deals with its customers. They need to be read carefully in case there are things you were unaware of, for instance, what happens if the chosen product is unavailable.